Half a million drops of white in bloom at Brodsworth Hall & Gardens

Thu, Feb 07, 2013 14:06 CET

The fruits of several years of planting are coming into bloom at Brodsworth Hall & Gardens, near Doncaster, where over half a million snowdrops, planted alongside the main driveway, are now bursting into flower to create a stunning display to herald the start of spring!

A brief warm spell in January has brought Brodsworth’s 500,000 snowdrops into bloom in early February – a couple of weeks earlier than the last few years – with the white flowers expected to peak in the next week or so, remaining in bloom for a couple of weeks. The site’s 100,000 yellow aconites are also flourishing, adding a touch of extra colour to the lawns and grounds in anticipation of the daffodils, which traditionally mark the start of spring.

“The views into the woods from the main driveway look fantastic, with clumps of vibrant green foliage and white flowers bursting from the ground, and we’ve also got some lovely displays down in the rose dell, too, which provide a welcome treat as visitors walk around the gardens,” comments head gardener, Dan Booth. “Although the hard landscaping and evergreen topiary ensure that Brodsworth’s restored Victorian gardens look great right through the year, we know that spring is just around the corner as the snowdrops flower and the daffodils start to sprout.”

The gardens – and tea room - are open every weekend throughout the winter, from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Admission – including access to the servants’ wing of the Hall itself - is £5.70 for adults, £5.10 for concessions and £3.40 for children, or free for English Heritage members.

During February half-term, the gardens will be open every day and the snowdrop walk is ideal for parents looking for ideas of what to do with their children during the school holidays and get them out and about.

The Servant’s Wing gives visitors an insight into the Victorian kitchen as well as the more modern scullery, which is just as it was when it was handed over to English Heritage, complete with cookbooks, Tupperware and Family Circle biscuit tins! Take a peek at the servants’ bedrooms, too, to get a taste of life ‘below stairs’ in this once-great country house.

Notes to photographers: Although Brodsworth Hall is only open to the public at the weekend, any photographers interested in taking some shots of the snowdrops in bloom can access the site during the week, by prior arrangement. Please contact Jay Commins on 01904 500698 for details.